Energy Risk
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Pointing the index finger
Concerns over manipulative energy price reporting has led to a call for price index reform. But many market participants are apprehensive about disclosing detailed confidential data to a third party. James Ockenden looks at developments
Greening the markets
Environmental risks are increasingly being recognised as important financial issues, but the markets are still some way from rewarding companies for good environmental performance, as Kevin Foster discovers
Rethinking European power
European energy firms are seeking to reposition their products and strategies in advance of European Union market deregulation. FAME Energy reports
Models of good behaviour
The development of new models that describe the real dynamics of energy prices have to take into account the behavioural aspects of market players. The problem is how to quantify these aspects. Maria Kielmas reports
Project risk: improving Monte Carlo value-at-risk
Cashflows from projects and other structured deals can be as complicated as we are willing to allow, but the complexities of Monte Carlo project modelling need not complicate value-at-risk calculation. Here, Andrew Klinger imports least-squares valuation…
Pumping up prices
Gasoline prices in the US hit all-time highs in March, and the price is expected to remain high throughout the summer. Kevin Foster looks at the contributing factors
Optimise this
One of the reactions to recent energy trading difficulties has been a shift away from speculative activities towards portfolio optimisation, but what does the term really mean, ask Tim Essaye and Brett Humphreys
The return of Russian crude
Russia has reclaimed its position as the world’s biggest oil producer for the first time in a decade – but uncertainty is still preventing some foreign oil firms from making the investments the country needs to fulfil its potential. Kevin Foster reports
Credit watch
In this month’s analysis of energy firms’ credit quality via Riskmetrics’ CreditGrades tool, Williams and El Paso are among those with tighter spreads
Trading with a small ‘t’
What made headlines before is now becoming everyday news: energy companies are scaling back or leaving energy trading. Some industry observers are emphasising the shift to ‘trading around assets’. Anne Ku investigates just what this means
Seeking a boost for crude
Venezuela’s internal conflict and the intended removal of Saddam Hussein from Iraq have meant both countries are seeking deals with international investors to boost oil production. But are the potential legal problems worth the trouble? By Maria Kielmas
Seam shifts in central Europe
Gordon Feller looks at the changing coal economies of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Slovenia and the effect of electricity sector moves in the region